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Wednesday, Feb 18, 2026
Outside the box.
Gisele Pelicot: The New French Feminist Icon in Landmark Rape Trial
Gisele Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman, has emerged as a French feminist icon amid her mass rape trial in Avignon, France. Her husband, Dominique Pelicot, drugged and invited dozens of men to rape her over decades, with police finding nearly 20,000 images and videos of the assaults. The trial has ignited a national debate on masculinity and consent, with Gisele demanding accountability and challenging societal norms.
Gisele Pelicot, a 72-year-old woman, has become a symbol of the French feminist movement as she faces a landmark mass rape trial in Avignon, France.
Her husband, Dominique Pelicot, drugged and invited dozens of men to rape her over decades, filming the assaults.
This horrific discovery came to light in November 2020 when police found nearly 20,000 images and videos on Dominique's computer.
In court, Gisele waived her anonymity to highlight the issue of drug-facilitated sexual violence.
Calling the trial an 'explosion' and 'tsunami' in her life, Gisele denounced those who claimed the encounters were consensual and demanded accountability.
Despite some defendants' claims of innocence, the trial has sparked a national conversation on masculinity and consent, with widespread support for Gisele.
High-profile men and social historians have labeled the trial historic.
The proceedings are expected to continue until December 2024.
Her husband, Dominique Pelicot, drugged and invited dozens of men to rape her over decades, filming the assaults.
This horrific discovery came to light in November 2020 when police found nearly 20,000 images and videos on Dominique's computer.
In court, Gisele waived her anonymity to highlight the issue of drug-facilitated sexual violence.
Calling the trial an 'explosion' and 'tsunami' in her life, Gisele denounced those who claimed the encounters were consensual and demanded accountability.
Despite some defendants' claims of innocence, the trial has sparked a national conversation on masculinity and consent, with widespread support for Gisele.
High-profile men and social historians have labeled the trial historic.
The proceedings are expected to continue until December 2024.
